1) British meat is produced to some of the highest welfare standards in the world: no growth-promoting hormones are allowed and any antibiotics are administered only under veterinary direction.

2) Britain's pig farmers operate by UK law to standards of welfare that are higher than those of nearly every other EU member state; so think twice before buying that packet of pork, bacon or ham with the words ‘product of the EU’. There is a 70% chance that it comes from a farming system that would be illegal in Britain.

3) Britain's beef and sheep industries are the envy of the world; breeding livestock and genetics from our native breeds are much sought after by farmers in other countries. Protect our great native livestock industry by buying the real thing, not an imported substitute.

4) Britain's cattle passport system means that each animal can be uniquely traced to its dam and place of birth.

Top 12 UK farmers' markets

Dirty dozen: the best of Britain's 600 local-produce markets where you can buy muddy carrots and misshapen fruit that tastes as it should

• Top 10 deli foods

• 10 things we didn’t know about food

Seasonal food recipe finder: April

Watch Celia Brooks Brown find spring's freshest, local ingredients at London's Canteen restaurant

• The joys of spring recipes

• Top 35 organic box schemes in the UK

• The UK's 10 best restaurants

BACKGROUND

• UK's Top 10 fish and chips shops

• London's 10 best restaurants

• The UK's 10 best restaurants

Related Links

• Farm food in the Peaks

• Why the great British breakfast is a killer

5) Chicken carrying the British Red Tractor logo has been produced to a high set of standards covering every stage of the food chain from rearing to processing and can be traced back to the farm it came from.

6) Eating British fruits and vegetables in season is good for you. Foods in season contain the nutrients, minerals and trace elements that our bodies need at particular times of the year. For example, British Food Fortnight marks the shift from Summer to Winter and the fruit and vegetables that are coming into season now, such as butternut squash and apples, are packed with vitamin C to boost our resistance to Winter colds.

7) British food travels less far from farm to shop so regardless of how carbon footprints are calculated it self-evidently has a lower carbon footprint.

8) Choosing British means supporting British farmers whose work helps to keep the British countryside the way we want it to look: no sheep or cows - no countryside!

And remember…don't be misled by supermarket packaging that can make British and imported food look similar. Look for the origin information and evidence of British flags and assurance marks.

The 7th British Food Fortnight, www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk runs from September 20 - 5 October, 2008. Thousands of events are taking place around the country in celebration of British food. There are also initiatives for chefs to give cooking demonstrations in schools.

For a comprehensive nationwide list of organic box schemes

For the best local produce in your area visit the Times Real Food Directory

Times Recommends

• Gordon Brown’s favourite pud
• Five-spice butternut soup
• How to make popcorn and crisps